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Underwater Festival returns to LUX* Maldives

Maldives Promotion House – LUX* Maldives will host the second edition of the internationally recognised ‘Underwater Festival’, from 15 to 21 April 2013. Activities will include underwater photo and video courses, on-the-beach themed film screenings, film editing coaching sessions, as well as free diving and apnea courses. Courses will be led by experts including BBC film director Neil Lucas, television documentary editor Frank Spencer, free diving world record holder Sara Campbell and members of leading diving company Eurodivers.
LUX* Maldives is an active supporter of marine life conservation. For the last two years the resort been leading an extensive whale shark database program through its Marine Biology Centre and has initiated a successful research program within the South Ari Marine Protected Area (SAMPA).
UK-based photographer and BBC film director Neil Lucas will run daily introductory classes for guests to improve their photography skills and learn new underwater shooting techniques. Neil will be joined by Britain’s foremost underwater cameraman Michael Pitts, helping attendees translate their photography into an underwater reportage.
Top television documentary editor, Frank Spencer, will work closely with attendees from their first cuts, through to the rough cuts, music and sound. Participants will be able to identify the key stories, learn ‘fill and flood’ lighting techniques, shooting disciplines as well as sequence skills through storyboards and creative editing.
Free diving expert and four-time world record holder Sara Campbell will offer insights into breath holding and apnea techniques. Capable of diving unassisted to depths over 100m, Sara will oversee free diving classes, focusing on participants’ inner ‘sleeping dolphin’ through simple breathing techniques, which aid relaxation and mind control.
General Manager of LUX* Maldives Dominik Ruhl said: ‘The Maldives is the perfect place for this underwater festival and we are very proud to welcome such a brilliant panel of experts. With this festival and our Island Light concept, we look forward to offering guests a different way of celebrating island life. We want to offer participants the opportunity to explore the marine life of our Atoll through a lighter learning experience.’
Rethinking the concept of an island holiday experience, LUX* Maldives will contribute photo and video material from the festival to SAMPA’s on-going research programs. Partnering with the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) one the world´s oldest environmental organisations and a leading authority on the environment and sustainable development, LUX* Maldives also supports activities carried out within the South Ari Atoll through its newly appointed Marine Project Officer.
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Ifuru Island Maldives takes part in Burunu Boma sport fishing tournament

Ifuru Island Maldives has announced its participation in the inaugural Burunu Boma Sport Fishing Tournament, taking place from 2 to 4 May 2025. Organized by the Visit Maldives Club (VMC), this premier event aims to position the Maldives as a leading destination for sustainable sport fishing.
As one of the select resorts competing in this prestigious tournament, Team Ifuru Maldives will showcase its commitment to marine conservation and responsible tourism. The competition emphasizes “catch and release” practices, aligning with global efforts to preserve marine biodiversity.
Participants will target species such as marlin, sailfish, mahi-mahi, yellowfin tuna, wahoo, swordfish, and bigeye tuna, with a grand prize of USD 25,000 awarded to the top-performing team. The event also features live entertainment and a festive atmosphere, celebrating the Maldives’ rich fishing heritage.
“We are thrilled to be part of Burunu Boma and to represent Ifuru Island Maldives in this landmark event,” said Marcel Sawyer, General Manager at Ifuru Island Maldives. “Our participation underscores our dedication to sustainable practices and our passion for the ocean that surrounds us.”
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Sirru Fen Fushi to host ‘One Ocean, One Breath’ with Freedive Maldives to mark World Oceans Day

Sirru Fen Fushi – Private Lagoon Resort, invites ocean lovers and adventure seekers to a purposeful World Oceans Day celebration in partnership with Freedive Maldives, Guinness World Record Holder for the Most People Performing Static Apnea held last October 2022.
Set against the breathtaking backdrop of one of the largest natural lagoons and house reefs in the Maldives, the event promises a deep connection to the ocean through expert-led PADI Freediving courses, ranging from basic to advanced levels. Participants will have the opportunity to earn their freediving certification, explore Sirru’s 9-kilometer-long house reef, and admire vibrant marine biodiversity, including manta ray cleaning stations, nurse shark points, flourishing coral gardens, and turtle habitats, home to 93 resident turtles and 11 successful hatchings this year alone.
“Our house reef, one of the longest and most vibrant in the Maldives, is a sanctuary for marine life and a symbol of our deep commitment to ocean conservation,” said Lukasz Prendke, General Manager of Sirru Fen Fushi. “We are honoured to collaborate with Freedive Maldives in celebrating World Oceans Day, not only to offer our guests an unforgettable underwater journey, but also to empower local talents and inspire our community to protect what lies beneath the surface.”
The initiative aligns with the resort’s ongoing sustainability commitments, including regular lagoon cleaning programs and support for local marine conservation efforts. This collaboration further emphasizes a shared mission to preserve the Maldives’ rich underwater heritage and engage the local community in meaningful environmental action.
In a broader commitment to sustainable tourism, Freedive Maldives has also signed a partnership agreement with the Baa Atoll Council to host another record-breaking freediving event in October 2025, coinciding with World Tourism Day, reinforcing Baa Atoll’s position as a leader in eco-conscious marine tourism.
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Napoli back on top of Serie A as De Laurentiis celebrates in Maldives

Aurelio De Laurentiis, owner and chairman of SSC Napoli and one of Italy’s leading film producers, is celebrating his club’s return to the top of Serie A while holidaying in the Maldives.
Napoli secured a crucial 2–0 victory over Torino in the 34th round of the league, taking full advantage of Inter Milan’s 1–0 loss to Roma. With the win, Napoli now lead the table with 74 points, three points clear of Inter, with four matches remaining in the season.
Many had expected De Laurentiis to be present at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona for such a pivotal match. However, according to Italian media reports, he remained in the Maldives. After the match, the Napoli president posted a message from afar, encouraging his team to stay composed during the decisive final stretch of the season: “Cool heads. Calm and steady. Forza Napoli Sempre!”
The radio station Kiss Kiss Napoli suggested that De Laurentiis’ decision to stay in the Maldives, distant from Italy, reflects his strategy of giving space to the team and coaching staff while firmly maintaining control over the club’s direction.
Following Napoli’s historic league triumph in 2023, their first in over three decades, the club endured a turbulent season marked by coaching changes and management instability. Many attributed last season’s struggles to the lack of continuity.
Determined to rebuild, De Laurentiis appointed Antonio Conte, a proven winner, as head coach ahead of the 2024/25 campaign, a move that is already delivering results.
As the race for the Scudetto intensifies, Napoli’s dream of winning a second title in three years remains very much alive, with De Laurentiis steering the course even from thousands of miles away.
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